Former Leaf pumps Auston Matthews' tires ahead of his highly anticipated return to the lineup

In speaking with Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, Martin recalled how mature Matthews was the moment he stepped in the locker room saying, "He had leadership qualities the first day he stepped in that locker room. As a fourth line guy and somebody that plays a completely different game from him, he just always appreciated what I think everybody brought to the table."

As Martin said, when a guy like Matthews, who doesn't have to block shots or do the gritty work, realizes how hard it is and understands how much that stuff helps a team it goes a long way. Especially when the guys doing that work are playing five to seven minutes a night. It makes it easier for them to stay engaged and want to play. When he himself helps in these areas and leads by example, it's even more important and helps generate some additional motivation from up and down the lineup.

Matthews has certainly taken on more responsibility the past few years in terms of doing the dirty work and it has helped him become one of the best two-way centers in the game and likely the best one under 26 years old.